DOJ Seal

MoneyGram Remission Website

FAQ


  1. What is this case about?
  2. What is the remission process?
  3. Who is eligible to file a Petition for Remission (Claim)?
  4. Who is not eligible to file a Petition for Remission?
  5. How do I file a Petition for Remission?
  6. When is the deadline to file Petitions for Remission?
  7. If I qualify, how much money will I get back?
  8. What will I need to do to get a payment?
  9. What should I do if I don’t agree with the loss amount printed on my pre-filled petition?
  10. Do I have to be a United States citizen or in the United States to file a petition?
  11. When will I get a payment?
  12. What will happen if I do nothing?
  13. Why am I required to provide my Social Security Number?
  14. Can I file a petition on behalf of an estate?
  15. Can I file a petition if I have a Power of Attorney?
  16. What if I need to change the name on the petition?
  17. Do I need an attorney to file a petition?
  18. Is there a fee for filing a petition?
  19. Where can I get more information?
  20. What is the current status of the case?

 



  1. What is this case about?

    MoneyGram International Inc. (MoneyGram) has agreed to pay $125 million to settle charges brought by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).  During the term of the Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) filed on November 9, 2012, the company’s anti-money laundering and anti-fraud programs experienced significant weaknesses, which caused a substantial rise in consumer fraud transactions.  In addition, the FTC alleged that MoneyGram violated a court ordered Stipulated Permanent Injunction entered on October 21, 2009, by failing to detect and prevent consumer fraud as required.

     

    Per the Amended and Extended Agreement (Agreement) with DOJ and the settlement with the FTC filed on November 8, 2018, MoneyGram has paid $125 million. The United States Postal Inspection Service investigated various schemes in which fraudsters contacted victims and falsely posed as family members in need or federal law enforcement officials, particularly the Internal Revenue Service.  Fraudsters falsely promised prizes, loans, employment opportunities, discounted products or other financial awards.  The fraudsters directed the victims to send money through MoneyGram to assist relatives, avoid imprisonment or arrest, to claim prizes, receive loans, pay taxes or receive some other form of financial award.  No one received the cash, prizes or other promised items.

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  2. What is the remission process?

    The money paid by MoneyGram will be made available to victims through a process called remission.  The remission process is governed by the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 28, Part 9.  If you file a claim, referred to as a petition for remission, detailing the loss amount, the US Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) will compare the requests to MoneyGram records and decide whether to grant the petition.  After USPIS has reviewed all the petitions, payments will be sent to people for some or all of their approved loss.

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  3. Who is eligible to file a Petition for Remission (Claim)?

    You can file a claim if you sent money to a scammer through MoneyGram between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2017.  You do not have to be a United States citizen or currently in the United States to file a petition (claim), but only Money Transfers sent from the United States through MoneyGram are eligible for remission. You must have used your own name on the money transfer. 

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  4. Who is not eligible to file a Petition for Remission?

    • If the MoneyGram money transfer was not sent between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2017.

     

    • If you sent a bank wire, money transfer through another money transfer company, or a money order.

     

    • The money transfer was not sent in your name.

     

    • Any money transfer sent by a petitioner that received money from a third party. (Petitioner received $500 from Individual A on Day 1. Petitioner was then instructed by the fraudster to forward approximately $500 to Individual B on Day 1 or a subsequent day; and sent approximately $500).

      

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  5. How do I file a Petition for Remission?

    The administrator mailed pre-filled petition forms to victims that have been identified.  These forms will show your known eligible loss based on records in the possession of the USPIS.  If you received a pre-filled petition form and agreed with the amount shown, you must have signed and dated the form and mailed it back in the return envelope provided. The deadline to file a pre-filled petition form was June 1, 2021.


    Victims who do not receive a pre-filled petition form by June 1, 2021 needed to complete a petition form online at moneygramremission.com.   When submitting an online petition, a MoneyGram money transfer control number (MTCN) was a mandatory field.  A MTCN is an eight-digit number assigned to each MGI money transfer.  The MTCN is listed on MGI receipts and completed MGI send forms.  In addition, victims could also have submitted a petition via the mail and could have downloaded a petition form to complete and forward.  Victims were able to attach MoneyGram receipts, MoneyGram send forms and MoneyGram historical reports to their submission. The deadline to file a petition form during the open portal was August 31, 2021.

    The acceptance of mailed Petitions for Remission postmarked after this date will be subject to the US Postal Inspection Service’s (USPIS) discretion.

    Please file only one petition.  Pre-populated petitions will have a Claim ID listed.

    Mail your completed form to:

    United States v. MoneyGram International Inc

    P.O. Box 43549 

    Providence, RI 02940-3549

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  6. When is the deadline to file Petitions for Remission?

    You had 90 days from the date listed on the pre-filled petition to return the completed petition.  The final deadline for filing a pre-filled petition was June 1, 2021.

    On June 1, 2021, the portal to file a petition opened for those who did not receive a pre-filled petition.  The final deadline for filing a petition during the open portal was August 31, 2021.

    The acceptance of mailed Petitions for Remission postmarked after this date will be subject to the US Postal Inspection Service’s (USPIS) discretion.

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  7. If I qualify, how much money will I get back?

    The amount you receive will probably be less than the amount you lost.  It also will not include any refund you previously received from MoneyGram.

     

    Your payment will be based solely on the amount of the money transfer.  You cannot recover other expenses, such as money transfer fees, incidental losses, or transfers sent through other companies.

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  8. What will I need to do to get a payment?

    To be considered, you must file a Petition for Remission.  If you do not submit a petition, you will not be eligible to get a payment.  Please ensure you sign and date the petition.

    The deadline to submit a petition has passed. The acceptance of mailed Petitions for Remission postmarked now will be subject to the US Postal Inspection Service’s (USPIS) discretion.

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  9. What should I do if I don’t agree with the loss amount printed on my pre-filled petition?

    If you don’t agree with the loss amount printed on your pre-filled petition form, fill out the information requested on the petition form and supply documentation (MoneyGram receipts, send forms, or history reports with a listed eight (8) digit money transfer control number) to support your claim. Do not send original receipts.

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  10. Do I have to be a United States citizen or in the United States to file a petition?

    No.  You are not required to be a United States citizen or in the United States to file a petition, but only Money Transfers sent from the United States through MoneyGram are eligible for remission.

    

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  11. When will I get a payment?

    It will take up to one year or more to review and verify petitions, and determine who is eligible to receive a payment.  Check www.moneygramremission.com for updates on the status of the process.

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  12. What will happen if I do nothing?

    If you do not submit a Petition for Remission, you will not receive a payment.

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  13. Why am I required to provide my Social Security Number?

    If your petition is approved, it must be reviewed by the Treasury Offset Program to verify that you do not owe any money to the federal government.  If you owe money, your payment will be used to pay your debt.  If your payment is more than the amount you owe, you will get the remainder.

    

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  14. Can I file a petition on behalf of an estate?

    Yes.  If the person who transferred the money is deceased, please submit the petition in the deceased person’s name, and include verification of the death (death certificate), documents showing that you represent the estate (Will or Trust), and a copy of your current government-issued identification with the petition. Your Social Security Number will not be shared or used for any other purpose. Please note, the SSN should be of the person or entity the payment will be made out to. 

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  15. Can I file a petition if I have a Power of Attorney?

    Yes.  Please submit the Power of Attorney and a copy of your current government-issued identification with your petition.

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  16. What if I need to change the name on the petition?

    If you need your name changed because of a marriage, divorce or name change, please send a copy of your marriage license, divorce decree or legal documents reflecting the name change, and a copy of your current government-issued identification with your petition.

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  17. Do I need an attorney to file a petition?

    No, you do not need an attorney to file a petition.  Do not send money to anyone who contacts you and says they will assist you with filing your petition or getting your money back.

     

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  18. Is there a fee for filing a petition?

    No.  There are no fees associated with filing a petition or being a part of the remission process.  Never send money to someone who contacts you by mail, telephone or email and promises to assist you in filing your petition or get money back.

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  19. Where can I get more information?

    For the latest information about the remission process:

     

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  20. What is the current status of the case?

    USPIS in conjunction with DOJ and the Remission Administrator continues to review Petitions for Remission from potential victims of the MoneyGram fraud and anticipates authorizing compensation for eligible victims within 2022.

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